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<br />. I Communications Strategy <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />· SPEAKERS BUREAU. We would actively seek opportunities for NCDA <br />representatives to speak to the public. In addition to the local Rotary Club, Kiwanis <br />Club and Lions Club, we would look for venues that will reach your target audiences. <br />A simple survey could be handed out at these speaking engagements to solicit input <br />from the audience and add to the mailing list. <br /> <br />· TELEPHONE HOTLINE. Implement a telephone hotline where people can call and leave a <br />message if they have questions or simply want to offer their thoughts. A voice mail <br />message would be used and an administrative assistant assigned to the public involvement <br />and public information plans would record comments and respond to questions. <br /> <br />... ..... <br />· ! STUDENT SURVEYSjPartner with St. Cloud State University, St. John's <br />University or the University of Minnesota and other educational institutions where <br />students are potential commuters. Conduct a survey of students to fmd out what they <br />think about commuter rail, if they would use it, factors influencing their use (getting <br />to and from the station, amenities like coffee and newspapers at the station, frequency <br />of trains) as well as attitudes about the environment and sustainable development. <br />The partnership could involve faculty and students interested in planning and <br />sustainable development. <br /> <br />· ENDORSEMENTS. Announce endorsements by local officials up and down the <br />corridor of the commuter rail. While the communities are already working together <br />through NCDA, these endorsements would create public and media interest, building <br />momentum and enthusiasm for making commuter rail a reality . We could partner <br />Mayors with state representatives for more impact. We would also seek out high- <br />profile public officials who are advocates of commuter rail such as Governor Jesse <br />Ventura and Metropolitan Council Chair Ted Mondale. Other potential endorsements <br />could come from the Convention and Visitors Bureaus of St. Cloud and Minneapolis. <br />These organizations rely on bringing people in for trade shows, conventions and <br />entertainment. If they would "pledge" to work with the shows at their sites to make <br />shuttles available from the stations to the convention site, we could make this a media <br />announcement. Other potential partners include Twin Cities sports teams and St. <br />Cloud sporting events. These announcements would be made through news releases <br />and new conferences. <br /> <br />5 Shandwick International <br /> <br />3.23.99 <br />